Basement woes...

[johnwen]

I'm sure some have experienced problems with the integrity of their basement construction.  My 1/2 inch pvc/fiberboard/not sure of the material... has bit the dust and I'm going to reconstruct this area.  I'll be using a different material and will post pictures of progress soon.  My question is what is below the old basement floor?  The whole area is insulated and I'm wondering if I can take advantage of the space below the previous floor.  I've included pictures and would appreciate any help with any ideas.  It seems I could utilize the area beneath (approx 28x18x5 inch deep space) the previous flooring but don't know what's beneath the insulation.  Does the fresh/grey tank exist below?

Thanks,

John

[Ronbrink]

I’m aware of this void from viewing other owner pics, but not sure how supportive the bottom would be to utilize as additional storage; however care would need given to protect existing plumbing and electrical components. I’ve never had reason to remove the basement floor for access to do repair/maintenance/modifications, but would certainly further evaluate your thought of this potential added storage space. 

Edited Tuesday at 12:22 PM by Ronbrink

[Steve and MA]

I think the grey tank is below the lowest part of the insulated floor.  This is a picture taken at the factory from the front of the trailer before the inner hull had been installed.  You can see the L-shaped grey tank is the full width of the floor where the basement access would be.

[mossemi]

A different view!

Mossey

[johnwen]

Thanks Mossey...I dug up an old photo from my first visit and indeed the gray tank appears to stop short of that space.  The factory provided floor snapped in two and needs replaced.  I'll use wood this time if I cover the space.

 

Edited Tuesday at 02:08 PM by johnwen
enhanced the photo

[mountainoliver]

My basement area collapsed a couple of years ago in a very similar way as yours. On mine the rails that supported the basement floor was held to the wall sections with screws that penetrated the wall by only 1/4 inch. As shown in the photos I made a framework to support the floor out of vinyl 3/4 x 5 1/2 material. I would recommend not using wood anywhere in the trailer. Vinyl board and stainless screws. The actual basement floor rests on the framework and is attached to the framework with stainless screws. I also reinforced and sealed the aluminum plate that closes off the rear of the trailer. About half of the sub basement was uninsulated so I also added complete insulation in the area.

Edited Tuesday at 09:06 PM by mountainoliver
Changed insulated to uninsulated

[johnwen]

1 hour ago, mountainoliver said:

My basement area collapsed a couple of years ago in a very similar way as yours. On mine the rails that supported the basement floor was held to the wall sections with screws that penetrated the wall by only 1/4 inch. As shown in the photos I made a framework to support the floor out of vinyl 3/4 x 5 1/2 material. I would recommend not using wood anywhere in the trailer. Vinyl board and stainless screws. The actual basement floor rests on the framework and is attached to the framework with stainless screws. I also reinforced and sealed the aluminum plate that closes off the rear of the trailer. About half of the sub basement was insulated so I also added complete insulation in the area.

Nice! :)

 

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, mountainoliver said:

Ken, hopefully this picture was taken during work in process. I'm sure you must have closed off and sealed the opening around the drain pipe. It almost looks large enough for an Arizona Pack Rat! Don't let the cute picture fool you, they are monsters of collection and destruction! 🤣

Regardless, this opening is certainly large enough for field mice and many kinds of insects! I pushed in a large bead of dum-dum (butyl) around mine. 

Edited Tuesday at 05:43 PM by jd1923

[mountainoliver]

Yes that was an in process photo. In fact, the aluminum plate closing off the rear end of the trailer was never sealed so I removed the plate and put butyl tape all around and reattached it. As far as the soil pipe, there is a rubber grommet that tightly seals between the pipe and the aluminum plate. 

Edited Tuesday at 05:51 PM by mountainoliver
Clarification